Dear Members:
In celebration of Chamber of Commerce Week across Illinois in September, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry will sponsor a month of networking, educational and special events, stage our annual new member recruitment campaign and kickoff the public phase of our Centennial Celebration Capital Campaign.
September 11-15 has been proclaimed Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois by Governor Bruce Rauner, while Mayor Steve Morley proclaimed September 11-17 as Chamber of Commerce Week in Elmhurst.
Centennial Celebration Capital Campaign
As part of ECCI’s 100th Anniversary in 2018, our Chamber is running a $250,000 Centennial Celebration Capital Campaign to raise $150,000 for the Ralph P. Pechanio Student Internship Endowment Fund at Elmhurst College and $100,000 for Second Century Fund projects, including development of a public Civic Hall of Fame memorial.
Following a nine-month “silent” phase initiated last January, our Capital Campaign is now at 60% of goal (or $149,245 raised), thanks to a recent five-figure pledge to the Elmhurst College Student Internship Endowment Fund (now at $112,345) and another $9,300 in gifts and pledges to our Second Century Fund (now at $36,900).
Your financial support—as a business and/or individual—in cash or as a gift-in-kind donation at any level is both wanted and needed, and much appreciated, and gifts to either cause are tax deductible as a charitable contribution.
New Member Campaign
Running through September, the Chamber’s new member campaign features a 16-month membership (good for all of 2018) at the annual cost. Chamber membership starts at $325 per year for businesses with two employees or less, plus a $25 registration fee. New members can pay Chamber dues monthly via direct debit or credit card.
For more information, contact Director of Member Services Tessa Zemgulys via e-mail.
Membership Breakfast/Open House
On September 14, our Chamber will host the monthly 8 a.m. Membership Breakfast in the DeForest Dance Academy Building at 300B West Lake Street. DeForest Creative Group is an Event Sponsor. The Chamber’s Open House at 300A West Lake Street, Suite 201, follows the Membership Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fourth Annual Pig Roast
With summer coming to an end, the Chamber will stage our Fourth Annual Pig Roast at The Silverado Grill (447 Spring Road) on Tuesday, September 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. Suburban Bank & Trust and Inland Bank are Event Co-Sponsors. The cost of $30 per person includes a Barbeque Jim’s-catered roast pig dinner with all the fixings and two alcoholic beverages. Tickets are limited to the first 125.
Professional Speakers Series
On Friday, September 29, our next quarterly Professional Speakers Series will feature one-hour presentations at 8 a.m. by Wells Fargo Bank on how to “Improve Your Employees’ Financial Well-Being” and at 11:45 a.m. by Coldwell Banker (Kathy Repsis), Lexington Square of Elmhurst and Next Step Advocate on “What is the Best Senior Living Option for Your Family.” Complimentary food and beverages will be provided.
Veterans Educational Event
Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 Auxiliary, Elmhurst College and Elmhurst Public Library are partnering on “Exploring Non-VA Educational Benefits for Veterans” at the Legion on Tuesday, September 12, from 5 to 9 p.m., with free dinner included. Organizations offering service opportunities, certifications and college credit for military service, and other veteran programs will attend. Call 630-617-5939 for more info.
Catch Chamber on Cable TV
Elmhurst Our Kind of Town will air videotape coverage of an Elmfest Retrospective featuring Ken Bartels, Julie Miller-Sheehan and yours truly throughout September on Comcast Channel 6 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 on Sundays at 7 p.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m.
You can also view EOKT coverage of the DuPage Cycling Foundation-organized Fifth Annual Superior Ambulance Elmhurst Cycling Classic with Ken Bartels and me teaming up to serve as your emcees online at elmhursttv.com.
Happy Anniversaries
Ten members are celebrating Chamber anniversaries in September, as follows: 30 years—DeVries Animal Hospital and Elm Creek Apartments and Townhomes; 25 years—A Shear Encounter Salon & Day Spa, Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Russell Health and Wellness Center; 20 years—Elmhurst Family Restaurant; 15 years—Minuteman Press; 10 years—Jordan Daily Money Management and Merlak Tax Advisory Group; and 5 years—Illinois State Representative Patti Bellock (R-47th District).
New Members
The Chamber welcomed two new members in August, as follows: Give Back Biz LLC and New Age Services Corp.
No Longer Members
The Chamber said goodbye to the following five members in August: doTerra, Kickoff For Kids, Ignite Graphics, Nick’s Sales & Service and RGL Marketing for the Arts.